Our dog has just recently had puppies (12 total, 10 have survived). They are now 22 days old. Our dog is an outdoor dog and she had the puppies in the house. They are now starting to get around and I want them out of the house. I am afraid it is too cold for them outside (we live in AZ, but they are used to being inside and it is rainy these days and in the 30's and 40's at night- we do not have a dog house). Also how often should mama be feeding them now?? I could put them in a playpen and her outside for easier clean-up, her happiness and their safety, but I need some advice on this especially for feeding times since school is beginning again soon. When should they start getting solid foods and how much and how often?? I have so many more questions...

You have an outdoor dog but no dog house? Where does your dog go when it rains or is cold? Surely there is an animal welfare law where you live that has a basic shelter stipulation?

Do you have a garage you can keep them? Are you making sure you socialise the pups? This will affect the rest of their lives. (I have some poorly socialised dogs, so I know).

We have a rather large back porch that she sleeps on. She is under there when it rains or to get out of the sun. The cold is really not that big of an issue here. She has a blanet for the winter. The puppies have not been out yet.
The pups are being socialized with the kids and our family. I don't think it is wise at this point to bring other animals around at their age, am I wrong?
We do not have a garage.

I could keep them in a playpen in the house for now, take them out when they need mama and when we are home to play around. I think mama is getting tired of being inside so much. How often should she feed them during the day?? If she feeds them at 8am and then again at 3pm is that too long of a span?? I am worried for when the kids go back to school.

When will they need to be introduced to solid food??? what kind?? canned or moistened hard stuff??

First let me say that puppies are a LOT of work. They don't get any easier as they get older, they are like babies. They demand attention and they bark, cry, play and need a lot of interaction with their littermates, mom, and any humans they can come into contact with.

They are not even a month old which means you are right to be concerned about taking them outside. They need to maintain their body temperature which they cannot easily regulate themselves at this age.

They should be feeding whenever they are hungry, every few hours, so separating mom yet isn't a great idea.

You mentioned school is starting, you should consider getting a gated area (like a Xpen) and set it up inside somewhere as out of the way as you can get it. Lay down newspapers and be sure to replace the newspaper daily.

You can start giving them soaked dog food (I'm assuming you don't feed raw) after they get teeth. Here is a quote from Ed

"We start to supplemental feed our pups at 3 ½ weeks. We start by using the formula on my web site – they get 2 or 3 days of this and then we add hamburger."

Ed has several Q&A questions on pregnancy, whelping, and puppies.
IMO you should have your dog spayed after this litter.

If you search his site you will find tons of information. Good luck.

I agree with Jenifer and would not separate the mom and pups for a while. If you have to move them outside, I would suggest you rig up some sort of temporary shelter for them. Get an old tent if you can. What are your plans for the puppies? Are they mixed or purebreed? You have quite a brood there! If at all possible you should keep the litter at least until they are 8 weeks old. They will learn a lot of dog social skills like bite inhabition and will be healthier, better socialized dogs in the long run.

Good Luck
Denise

We have all the puppies given away already. Yes we are keeping them until 8 weeks, please say a prayer for us!!! This is going to be a great challange, a lot of work we know, but only for two months so I plan on learning what I can and never doing it again!!!
Well, I have been told a lot of things from a lot of different web sites. They are Brindle and Staffshire "American Pit Bull Terriors". They are beautiful!!!

A tent is a great idea!!! I have an old one and the kids will love to put it up and make them as comfortable as possible and mom can come and go as she pleases!! Thanks for that advice!!!

Hope you follow everyones advice and keep these puppies with their mother and please make an effort and let them be inside until they can handle the weather.You sound like you want whats' bestfor them and that is a plus.
I'm against people breeding when they have not done their homework prior to whelping but they're here so I'll bite my tongue.I'm glad you will be spaying or neutering your dogs.

John,
Your dogs might be outside but get the quality care they need, but NOT everyone does what you might be doing with your dog, I agree that a dogs place is with its pack but at the same time if they get great care outside as well then who am I to judge.But don't alway assume that everyone is equal in that.
Angela is right to be concerned, you have a lot of people who would agree with her,I'm glad she brought it up!